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Massive increase in complaints about PIP assessments

The Disability News Service (DNS) is reporting that the number of complaints about personal independence payment (PIP) assessments rose by nearly 900% in the course of a single year.

Figures obtained by MPs, and cited by DNS, show that the number of complaints went up from 142 in 2015-16 to 1,391 in 2016-17.

The number of complaints that were upheld in the same period rose from 67 to 545.

There was not a corresponding rise in the number of PIP assessments completed over the same period, suggesting either that something has changed in the way assessments are carried out or that claimants are now much more willing to make a formal complaint.

DNS have been carrying out an investigation into PIP assessments and have now heard from 250 claimants who say that their assessment reports were dishonest.

Comments

At a face-to-face I was ostensibly observed [escorted] to walk from the reception to the consultation room. On the report I was observed to have walked the walk @ 'approximately 30M' and being subject to the DWP 20M rule [reduction] I went back and had it surveyed and, low-and-behold they had hiked the 'approximation' up from an actual 20M to the Atos version so that I would lose my mobility car. My case, overall, in now with the Independant Complaints people; it will take well over a year and Atos has already changed its identity to IAS - approximately!

A Medical Face to Face Assessment made for my Nephew, turned out to be pure fabrication. With the word assume and "he can drive" so he can walk to the car. " He has a degree" so he is not dyslexic. THe assessor assumed that my Nephew had attended the Medical on his own, drove his car. My husband had to drive him there, because my Nephews meds restricted his driving. That the information on my Nephews apllication form was not that which is expected, because he has a degree in physchology therefore he cannot be depressed. and on and on. Basically the times the assessor intimated the Application was erroneous was mind boggling.